So it was the Bananas...

"With a sweet smile like this, do I look like I could do ever do anything wrong?"

"What? You don't believe me?"

"I've got you all fooled!"

Bananas, bananas, bananas...the first fruit I had attempted to give Jake. I started with bananas because I thought he would love them and I thought they would be a shoe-in! I should have known better. Afterall, bananas gave me the WORST heartburn when I was pregnant; I should have known then to keep them away from my child! So I started with the bananas on Monday, and by Thursday, I called Tyson at work and told him something was wrong with our child...he hadn't smiled at me in days. Yes, I should have figured this out sooner, but between his eczema being flared miserably and the fact that I believe my child gets tired of looking at the same face day-in and day-out, I brushed it off. After a huge meltdown on Wednesday night and then again Thursday morning by my little man, I realized it had to have been the bananas. Low and behold, he "passed" the last of the bananas yesterday, and he immediately returned to his old self. It is amazing how much a little piddly amount of baby food can affect a baby's personality!! Anyways, I am so glad the "bananas phase" is over; it is going to be a LONG time before we ever try bananas again...if ever!

Pool Time!

"You talking about me? Only a REAL stud can pull off the matching flowered hat and swim trunks."
"My bath water never looked this clear before! It usually has a yellow tint!"
"I am so glad y'all took that awful hat off, mommy. The other kids were starting to stare!"
"Thanks, mom. Just when I thought I got my cool points back..."
"Who looks better in there swim trunks? Me or daddy?"

Yesterday, we took Jake to the neighborhood pool for the first time. Tyson and I were so excited for him, but the excitement died quickly once we got to the pool and realized 1) how COLD the water was 2) how crowded the pool was, and 3) how inconsiderate kids (and their PARENTS) are around little babies. For some reason (maybe because I had a camera or because our swimsuits were really bright), we attracted every splashing little kid in the pool!! Not to mention, the kids' parents were RIGHT THERE and never said a word to them!! Needless to say, we didn't stay very long. I was really disappointed because I was looking forward to spending our summer at the pool, but I guess Jake is a little too young to enjoy it. We WILL try again, though, 1) when the pool is warmer, 2) when it is less crowded, and 3) when I bring the biggest water gun possible to fend off some crazy kids. Oh, and by the way, Jake really wasn't that impressed with the pool. He was more interested in getting home and taking a nap!! Go figure!

More Pool Time!

Happy Memorial Day!

"So tell me again why I'm dressed in red, white, and blue and taking pictures on our neighbor's patio furniture?"
"Haven't we taken enough pictures today, mom?"
"Look, mom...I'm as tall as the weeds on this hill!"

"I love this holiday...there is so much good food to eat!!"

We had a great Memorial Day today; Tyson and I were lucky enough to both have the day off and we got to spend it as a family...finally!! The day started out kind of slow; Mommy was tired from working and slept in (thanks Daddy!), but then we hit the pool for the first time!! (We'll have those pics later...we just have a lot of cropping and editing to do first!). Then, we had a great time hanging out with some of the football coaches and their families and having a cook-out. Anyways, we hope everyone had a safe and happy Memorial Day! Stay tuned for pool pics!

Oh What a Week!

"The tricks are going to have to wait 'til commercials, mom."
"Make you a bet, mom...I bet I can put my hand AND

this ball in my mouth at the SAME time!"
"Who was the silly person who put these things on my ball?"
"If I concentrate JUST hard enough..."
"Too much concentration for me for one day...I'm exhausted!"

This week has been a roller coaster for Jake. He was fussy Monday, fine Tuesday, a little cranky Wednesday, and ok today. Naturally, I want to blame it on teething because apparently teething is the "root" (no pun intended) of a lot of problems at this age, but I think Jake is just going through a lot of changes right now. For instance, he has eliminated 2 of his 4-5 naps during the day. The naps are now longer, but Jake is having a hard time lasting between the naps. Remember, the child LOVES to sleep, and he has had a hard time adjusting to this nap thing. Here are some other new things or progress we have made this week: he is getting closer and closer to rolling over (he just has a hard time getting his weight over his chunky arm); he is doing really well at sitting up (he just kind of freaks out when he realizes I have backed away); he is getting so attached to me (he cries the SECOND I walk out of his sight); he also gives me the biggest smiles (mouth WIDE OPEN) and loves to chuckle at me when I do funny things; he is loving his solids (well, just the sweet potatoes, but he doesn't mind squash or carrots...he seems easy to please for now...just wait til we hit the green beans!); and yesterday, for the first time, he got up on his hands and knees and started rocking back and forth as if he is ready to scoot!. The other funny but heartbreaking thing he does now is this- when I lay him down to take a nap, he'll give me this last-ditch smile and then poke out his pitiful lip. And then as I walk out of the room, he'll raise up off his tummy and watch me walk out of the room; of course, I always turn back and have to look at his pitiful face peering out of the crib. He's got me wrapped around his little finger for sure!! Oh yeah, his hair is REALLY falling out; I've always heard people say this would happen, but I never believed it...until now!! He has the hairline of a little old man...or his daddy, whichever. Have a great weekend!

Oh What a Day!

He started the day out with sweet smiles!
Jake was chillin' during the stroll! He kicked his feet up and all!
He was so sweet and gave a sweet kiss to the pyramid thing!

(Does this count as sitting up?)
He was even sweet to his new blue friend with black polka dots!
But this is how he really looked ALL DAY LONG...mad!

Today was the first day I have had Jake all to myself in a week, and oh what a day it has been!! My mom and Tyson warned me that he wasn't acting like his normal self, but to be honest, I thought it was just because he missed his mommy. Afterall, Jake and I have a routine down or a "schedule" as my mom called it (she is a firm believer that no baby should be on a "schedule"). Anyways, I was exhausted today after working night shift all weekend, and I woke up to the fussiest baby! I guess he must be teething or something, but this day has been awful. I really pray that it is just temporary; I have gotten spoiled by my sweet child that sleeps A LOT!

Happy Birthday, Pat-Pat!

Happy Birthday, Mom! What's up with the pinkie, Jake?
"See my foot, Pat-Pat?"
Thank God for grandma's! I got to eat my whole meal without any interruptions!

I know, Jake...it's the best shoulder in the world!

This past Tuesday, my mom celebrated her birthday with us here in Birmingham. Jake and I were so excited that she chose to spend her big day with us, we decided to treat her to real NICE dinner...at Red Lobster. Yes, I know; my family and I are rednecks. Either way, Jake enjoyed his first trip to The Lobster. He fell asleep halfway between the cheese biscuits and the lobster-stuffed mushrooms and stayed asleep until the next morning! We had such a good time with my mom! She was so sweet to watch Jake as I made an attempt to buy some new post-almost 10 lb baby clothes and while I harrassed Babies R' Us about these new bottles. Thanks so much for coming and seeing us, mom! We hope you had a very Happy Birthday! And welcome home, Tyson! We are so glad recruiting is FINALLY over!

Let Him Eat Rice Cereal!

"Wait mom! Can't we talk about this is little longer?"

"What is this nasty stuff you just put in my mouth?"

"Maybe it's not so bad..."

"In fact, maybe I kind of like it."

"Well..."

"I don't like it!! Get me out of this thing!"
"It tastes a little better when my daddy feeds it to me."
"Am I supposed to make that same face you're making, daddy?
"AHHHHHH"
"That was the best rice cereal I ever put in my mouth!"

This past weekend, we let Jake eat rice cereal for the first time. Everyone has warned me about how messy it would be, but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. And Jake did really well overall! By the second day, he was opening his mouth for it, not spitting as much out, and even grabbing the spoon! For a little guy who doesn't care to eat, he actually enjoyed eating the rice cereal. I can't get it in his mouth fast enough! And whoever said it is a myth that solids don't help them sleep more...lied! Jake is sleeping even longer at night now! Praise God!

Happy Mother's Day!

"Happy Mother's Day Pat-Pat, Grandmama, and Ma Ma! I love you!"

My two boys before church
I hope I am as good of a mother as my mom is! I love you mom!
Our gift to our moms--Jake's sweet little footprint!
Isn't that the sweetest footprint ever?

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers that read our blog, and I want to give a special shout-out to my mom, Tyson's mom, and my grandmother. Thank you for everything you do for us; we love you so much! Happy Mother's Day! And thank you to my sweet husband and child for making this the best first Mother's Day I could ever wish for.

Short, Fat, and a Small Head

Gotta love that chunky smile!

"Look! I can finally reach my toys!"
I hope that isn't the finger he chooses to suck permanently! Thanks, Jake!
We miss you, daddy!

Ok. So maybe Jake isn't that short yet, but his off-the chart measurements are slowing down. When we went to the doctor Tuesday for his 4 month check-up, Jake weighed 17 lbs (85%) , was 25 3/4 in tall (75%), and had a head circumference of 16 1/2 inches (50%). I have to admit, I was a little disappointed and kind of felt like I have failed my son as his mom, but I knew this day would come. Don't get me wrong, these measurements are no indication of how big or small he is actually going to be, but I still took pride in having such a huge baby (and he still is...just not in the 90% anymore). I guess all those Big Mac's I scarfed down during pregnancy are slowly working their way out of his system. Seriously, I am glad to have this appointment out of the way. Jake has been miserable for the last two days after getting the shots; he has thrown-up, had diarrhea, run low-grade fever, and just acted miserable. It probably doesn't help that Tyson has been gone since Sunday, too; I swear that my child is sick of looking at the same face (mine) over and over again. Oh well, Tyson will be home tonight (thank goodness)...maybe he can help our child feel better! Stay tuned for some cute pics over the weekend; we are going to attempt to feed Jake some rice cereal!

My Hospital Babies

My Sweet Kevin

Tyson and I with my buddy, Bryan Dills

Last week or so, I posted some pics with my post about the CF Great Strides Walk. Well, the pictures didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, so my friend Tamila helped and scanned these pictures for me. In the top picture, Tyson and I were visiting one of my favorite patients, Bryan Dills. Bryan passed away in August of 2007 (at the age of 8) after a long battle with Cystic Fibrosis. Bryan received a double lung transplant when he just 6 years old, and he had one really good year after the transplant. However for the next year and a half, he was in and out the hospital. He brought me so much love and laughter; I looked forward to going in to work everyday just to see his precious little face. And then there is Kevin...I already gave my scoop on Kevin in my other post, but as you can tell from the pics, Kevin has been in my life for a long time and I hope he continues to be. But first, we need a cure for CF. Several of my former co-workers from Egleston will be walking next weekend in the Great Strides Walk, and they need your support. If you would like to donate to the cause, please visit http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/TamilaDulaney or http://www.cff.org/ -any little bit will help. I hate to use this blog to ask for donations, but I am very passionate about these kids and their disease. Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read this. Sorry for the solicitation.